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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1025

An early and well-documented M.B.E. awarded to Deputy Administrator M. F. Mitchell, Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, one of the first women to be admitted to the Military Division of the Order

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Members (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919, mounted for wear on a ladies bow riband, in its Garrard & Co box of issue, good very fine

M.B.E. invested 4 December 1919.

Margret Florence Mitchell was born at Highgate, North London on 5 May 1893, the eldest child of Annie and James Mitchell. She was educated at Clapham High School and worked as an Instructress of Domestic Economy prior to hostilities. Joining the Women's Legion on 2 October 1916 she served with them as a Cook at Perkins Bull Military Hospital, remaining in this post until 30 April 1917. Promoted to Assistant Superintendent of the Cookery Section of the Woman's Legion at Folkstone rest camps between May and October 1917. When the Woman's Legion was absorbed into Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps she joined them as an Assistant Administrator with No. 3 Rest Camp and Hostel, Folkstone. Mitchell was promoted Deputy Administrator on 25 February 1918 and Unit Administrator in March. After the war she married Lieutenant G. W. Cooper, Yorkshire Regiment who has passed through Folkstone camp before being taken prisoner; sold together with an extensive archive comprising:

(i)
Summons for investiture and Central Chancery Warrant of Appointment, besides Pocket St. Marks Gospel (War Service 1918 editon).

(ii)
Driving License.

(iii)
Pocket Diary covering the period January-June 1917.

(iv)
Copied service records for the recipient's brother J. A. Mitchell.

(v)
Copied service details for the recipient's husband.

(vi)
copied correspondence relating to the recipient's husband as well as his P.O.W. papers and pictures.

(vii)
A quantity of original photographs.

(viii)
Envelopes addressed to the recipient and 'Master F. M. Cooper'.

(ix)
Order No. 14 by the Commandant, Folkstone Camp promoting the recipient.

(x)
Letters from the Central Chancery relating to the award and investiture of the M.B.E.

(xi)
copied service records for the recipient along with handwritten research census data and an entry in Who's Who.

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Sold for
£200

Starting price
£100